First Year Seminars
The First Year Seminars are a group of courses that are a part of the First Year Program at UW-Green Bay. The seminars are designed to provide students with an educational experience characterized by dynamic learning and interdisciplinary approaches to problem-solving. The courses provide high quality interactions with the professor and classmates in a small size seminar environment. The Seminars also encourage students to connect with the campus community through a variety of activities. Each seminar fulfills a General Education requirement dependent upon the area in which it is offered. They also fulfill a lower level writing emphasis requirement.
Although freshman seminars vary in topics, all have common elements. They are:
- Interdisciplinarity – Consistent with UW-Green Bay’s mission and philosophy, students should have an understanding of the importance of tackling problems from multiple perspectives.
- Critical Thinking/Problem Solving – Students need to address problems from multiple perspectives and have the ability to analyze data/information from a critical perspective.
- Communication Skills – The courses emphasize effective communication including writing, speaking, and the ability to work in a small group environment.
- Creativity/Innovation – Students are expected to develop, explore and present new ideas and beliefs.
- Information Literacy – The seminars introduce the idea of information literacy in the context of writing and speaking assignments so that students have a better understanding of how information is collected, how to assess the quality of the information and its sources, and how to use information effectively.
- Engagement – Students have the opportunity to connect with other students, to connect campus resources, to connect their learning with other courses, and to connect with the community.
First Year Seminars
BUS ADM 202: Business and Its Environment (TR 12:30 – 1:50)
The major components of the business enterprise and its resources, competitive and regulatory environment, pricing, profit, finance planning, controls, ethics, environmental impact, social responsibility and other important concepts; environmental issues that challenge the business leader (SS1)
EARTH SC 222: Ocean of Air: Weather and Climate (MWF 12:45 – 1:40)
Fundamental processes of the atmosphere, the resulting weather and climate, and the effects of the atmosphere on other aspects of the earth’s environments and on humans (NPS1)
HUM BIOL 198: Science in Films (MW 2:15 – 3:35)
Films with scientific elements have had a huge impact on science and society. This course will explore how science and scientists are portrayed in these films and how the films have shaped popular perceptions of science and scientists, the world, and the universe. The course will also help students to gain an understanding of the interplay of science, science fiction, and society. (HB2)
HUM DEV 198: How We Live: American Cities and Suburbs (MWF 12:45 – 1:40)
The course will look at the history and future of suburbia through an interdisciplinary exploration fo the roots of the suburban ideal, how suburbia has developed in the U.S., the psychological impact of living in the suburbs, the sociology of race and class in the suburbs, the planning of specific types of suburban developments including gated communities, Neo-Traditional planning, and ecosuburbs, and the future of suburbia. We will incorporate the fields of planning, environmental psychology, sociology, political science, geography, and other social science fields into our exploration of suburbia. (SS2)
HUM DEV 198: Not Just for Children: The Meaning of Play (TR 12:30 – 1:50)
This course will examine play in its myriad of forms and in the way it is expressed in animals and humans at different stages of the life span. Play as an intervention for social ills, in terms of its therapeutic value and enhancement of learning and creativity will also be considered. (SS1)
HUM DEV 210: Introduction to Human Development (Section 001 MW 2:15 – 3:35; Section 002 TR 12:30 – 1:50)
Human development from conception through death: physical development, social and emotional development, personality development, the development of language, intellectual development and creativity, and the process of human learning. (SS1)
HUS 198: The Culture of Food (TR 12:30 – 1:50)
An interdisciplinary humanities first year seminar centered around the historical and cultural relationship to food. (HUM 3)
POL SCI 198: Shifting Grounds: Russia and Eastern Europe Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow (MWF 12:45 – 1:40)
A comprehensive examination of the East/ Central European countries and the former Soviet Union, covering the general historical overview of the region, its geography, political structures and processes of the communist period and the post-communist transitions to widely divergent societies and politics. Social and economic policy and popular attitudes are also examined. Emphasis is placed on the diversity of the region. (World Culture)
PSYCH 198: Gods, Ghosts, and Goblins (TR 12:30 – 1:50)
Why do we believe what we do? We will take a social science perspective to explore the underlying reasons as to why humans believe the things they do (and why they do not believe in other things). We will explore the roots of religion, discuss the psychological benefits to believing and the perils of not, and examine some fascinating objects of belief ranging from paranormal activity to extraterrestrial life. (SS2)
SCD 198: Sex and the Supreme Court (MWF 12:45 – 1:40)
Are you interested in history, the law, and social debates about sex? Using six Supreme Court cases that legislated sexual behavior in the United States, this course will explore issues of politics, justice, race, and gender throughout U.S. history. Cases will include Buck V Bell (1927), Loving v. Virginia (1967), and Lawrence v Texas (2003) and their historical backgrounds. This course includes one day-long field trip. (SS2)
If you interested in registering for one of these during R&R, have your advisor assist you.